Protect or Infect is a turn based, strategy board game set in the aftermath of a zombie infestation. You take control of either the team of 4 survivors or the growing zombie horde.

Up to 4 players can control each of the 4 survivors on their mission to outlast 20 rounds of the game, awaiting the arrival of a rescue vehicle. They can scavenge for items and weapons, barricade doors and windows, or take the zombies head on with just the knife and pistol they start with. If 2 survivors can reach the rescue vehicle before being devoured then the survivor team is declared the winner.

Up to 4 players can spawn and control their own zombie horde. Every round the zombie players will flip for spawn points that they can then spend on the 7 different classes of zombies. The zombie team must then coordinate their attacks in order to bring down the survivor squad. As a team, the zombie players also take control of The Harvester, the zombie boss character. Once all 4 survivors are dead the zombie team is declared the winner.

Alternatively, if The Harvester is killed, then the zombie team can no longer spawn zombies. If the remaining zombies on the board are wiped out then the survivor team wins.

Check out the Protect or Infect Game Overview video for an in depth look at the game's concept, what comes in the box, how to setup the game, and then how to play it.

Game Inventory (*all items depicted are subject to changes)

The game board is unique in that you can do on board stat tracking and field manipulation. The board is laminated which allows players to write (with dry erase markers) directly on the board. Is a door or window broken? Cross it out! Did you throw a molotov at a group of zombies and need to keep track of its area of effect? Draw the flames on the board! It's a simple and effective mechanic that immerses the players into the games many variables and situations.

The art style of the game has evolved heavily since its inception. Here is an original sketch of the survivor, Brooks.

Here is the first concept art of Brooks done with water colors.

The final design for Brooks (and the art of the game) took a more cartoon grounded approach.

Just because it's a zombie game doesn't mean it has to be dark and morbid. The art helps make the atmosphere of the game more lighthearted and fun.

Tyler Amm is the Project Leader for POI. He was one of the original creators of the game almost 3 years ago. Tyler co-developed the basic gameplay and mechanics that have been refined over the years.

Kyle Wilkinson is the game's Statistical Analyzer and book keeper. He was one of the original creators of the game. Kyle co-developed the basic gameplay and mechanics for POI.

Trevor McCandless is the game's Lead Designer. He developed the art style and design layouts for POI.

Griffin Youngstrum is the games Promotional Artist. He aided in the development of the game's merchandise.

We are a group of motivated and dedicated board game designers. POI has been a passion project of ours for a long time that we are ready to share with the rest of the world. We hope you like, fund, and enjoy the game we have worked so hard to create. Thank you for funding our project! (assuming you do)

Risks and challenges

Although we have dedicated a lot of our time to developing a well balanced and quality board game, there are possible challenges still to overcome.

The game is 95% complete in that we have finalized most of the art, found inexpensive/quality materials for the game, advertised its existence, and put it through rigorous testing over the years.

We are prepared to launch and ship our product but we need the funds to do so. The pricing for the game and gifts have all been calculated and balanced so that there is little chance of over-funding, shipping delays, or quality control problems. The game is ready to be played; it just needs your support.

If the game becomes funded and problems do occur we will be honest and forthright about the status and evolution of the games production. We are thankful to those who are willing to fund our project and see no reason to not be transparent through the entire experience. We thank you for your support!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $25 or more
About $25

For $25 you will receive the PRINT N' PLAY GAME PACKAGE! You will be given a digital copy of the 3 boards detailing the manor, all 80 cards, a set of 2D minis featuring the 4 survivors - 8 zombies (Boss included) - rescue vehicle, spawn coin layouts, and the game manual. We will also include damage markers and movable furniture layouts. You will also receive the personal "Thank You!" and Desktop Wallpaper Bundle. The best part about this package is that you will receive the game months before the physical version will ship.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $40 or more
About $40

For $40 you will receive an 8" x 10" sketch of yourself as a zombie done by one of our two lead artists, Trevor or Griffin! You will also receive the personal "Thank You!" / Digital Poster / Desktop Wallpaper Bundle / Digital Comic.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $70 or more
About $70

For $70 you will receive the GAME PACKAGE. In it you will receive a copy of Protect or Infect and our eternal gratitude! You will also receive the personal "Thank You!" / Desktop Wallpaper Bundle / Digital Comic.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $200 or more
About $200

For $200 you get to pick what will be featured on one of the blank item cards and we will put your name on it! When players draw from the item deck they may pull up Griffin's Teddy Bear or Trevor's Comic Collection. Your personalized card will ship with every copy of the game. With this gift you will also receive the ALMOST EVERYTHING PACKAGE as well as an 11" x 17" print of your personalized card signed by the artists!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $250 or more
About $250

For $250 your corpse will be featured on the game's board! Your dead, decaying body will be inserted onto the board which will ship with every copy of the game. With this gift you will also receive the ALMOST EVERYTHING PACKAGE and your copy of the board will be signed by every member of the Manual Games team!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,000 or more
About $1,000

For $1000 you will receive a 22" x 34" framed oil painting depicting yourself as a zombie! You will also receive the COMPLETE DELUXE PACKAGE and a signed Chalupa wrapper from Taco Bell. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $2,000 or more
About $2,000

For $2000 you can be a survivor in Protect or Infect! We will add another survivor mini to the game that will ship with every copy. You will also receive the original concept art as well as an 11" x 17" signed print of the art. You will also receive the COMPLETE DELUXE PACKAGE as well as a pack of Pokemon cards covered in gum. Thank you so much for your contribution!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $3,000 or more
About $3,000

For $3000 we will feature your house in a new map that will ship with your copy of Protect or Infect. The second map will depict your house in an abandoned neighborhood. You will also receive the COMPLETE DELUXE PACKAGE as well as a scratched copy of Bratz Forever Diamondz for PS2 signed by the members of Manual Games and their mothers.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $5,000 or more
About $5,000

For $5000 we will create an entire set of minis based off of you and whatever other people/characters you want in the game (12 total: 4 Survivors & 8 Zombies). You will also receive an entire Expansion Set (new map/zombies/survivors/items) as well as the COMPLETE DELUXE PACKAGE. Your copy of Protect or Infect will come in a custom wooden box and to cap it all off we will personalize every item in the box with your name on it! We're talking cards, notepads, boards, manuals, etc. Buy this package you narcissist!!